Second Sunday after the Epiphany: January 16, 2005.

Isaiah 49:1-7

Psalm 40:1-12

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

John 1:29-42

First Reading

Isaiah's servant songs challenge the established belief that God would raise up powerful warrior kings to exalt Israel among the nations of the world. Instead, God will use Israel as a bruised reed or a dimly burning wick to bring light to the nations. This servant song consists of three sections: the servant is called and equipped by God (vv. 1-3), the servant despairs over apparent failure (v. 4), and the new mission from Yahweh (vv. 5-6). The servant's only weapon is "a mouth like a sharp sword."

In response to the servant's lament that the servant has labored in vain to gather Jacob and Israel back to God, God expands the scope of the servant's work from Israel to the nations, because God's salvation is no longer limited to Israel but will stretch to the ends of the earth. For this reason, the servant announces, "Listen to me, O coastlands, pay attention, you peoples from far away!" God's glory will be measured by the salvation of all rather than the political standing of Israel.

The psalm moves in the direction of God's expanding salvation. The psalmist recalls waiting patiently on the LORD, who heard the psalmist's cry, "drew me up from the desolate pit," and "set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure." The psalmist then sings a new song to God, whose wondrous deeds and thoughts toward us are too numerous to count. The psalmist sings this song of God's love and faithfulness to the great congregation.

This Sunday begins a series of second readings from 1 Corinthians 1-4. It seems that the Corinthians believed that the Holy Spirit is revealed in gifts of powerful speech and wisdom that can be measured according to human standards. Here Paul contrasts human wisdom, which the Corinthians value, with the paradox of the cross and the lowliness of the apostle. This passage consists of the greeting (vv. 1-3) and the thanksgiving (vv. 4-9). In the greeting, Paul establishes his credentials by asserting the divine basis of his apostleship. Paul also reminds the Corinthian congregation that it belongs to those in every place who call on the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul's repeated references to God and the Lord Jesus Christ remind the Corinthians that God's gift of salvation is the heart of Christian living.

John's account of the baptism of Jesus provides no baptism. Rather than standing with Jesus in the water, John bears witness to Jesus from a distance. John tells those around him that Jesus is lamb of God, expected messiah, and the Son of God. John then describes the divine sign that revealed Jesus to him (vv. 29-34). John's testimony compels two disciples to follow Jesus (vv. 35-42). Andrew then goes to bring Peter, his brother, to Jesus. Both the testimony of John and the action of this disciple declare that witnessing to the truth about Jesus is essential to faith.

Pastoral Reflection

Hearing about Jesus makes people curious. People want to experience Jesus firsthand, to experience Jesus for themselves.

If you could ask Jesus one question, what would you ask? Most of the queries I contemplate begin with the word Why ...? Today, two disciples get that chance to ask Jesus a question. Jesus looks over his shoulder at John's two disciples who follow him and asks, "What are you looking for?" What do you want? What is your question? What do you seek?

I am amazed at the disciples's answer. They could have asked the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world anything they want. These two choose "Where are you staying?"--a question that does not lead to an answer. Besides, John's Prologue gives the answer: Jesus pitches a tent, stays, with us. But Jesus seems to know that these disciples seek relationship rather than information or explanation. So Jesus offers an invitation. Jesus says, "Come and see!"

In our day-to-day living, that's what we want to know as well. "Jesus, where are you staying?" Jesus, are you staying with me? And Jesus answers, "Come and see."

Where do we look for God? Isaiah tells us that God will not be found inside the lines that we draw, the borders that we set, or the walls that we build. Paul reminds us that God will not be found in gifts and accomplishments measured by human standards. God won't be found in spectacle, miracle, or undeniable success. That's not the way God chooses to work.

Jesus invited us to come and see Jesus. And we see. We see that the Word made flesh, the One baptized at the river, becomes the healer of the sick, the friend of the outcast, the herald of good news to the poor. Jesus stays with us. Even in pain, even in humiliation, even in rejection, betrayal, denial, destruction, and death, Jesus stays with us. That's what it means to be "the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world." That's what it means to "baptize with the Holy Spirit." In Jesus, God stays with us, no matter what! CAS